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ROSMAN, N.C. — The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) has officially changed its name to The Learning Center at PARI. Founded in 1998 by Don and Jo Cline, PARI is a public not-for-profit science education and research center located in Rosman, NC.

“'Evolve' is defined as ‘to change or develop slowly often into a better, more complex, or more advanced state,’” noted PARI President and Founder Don Cline. “This definition truly defines the current evolution of PARI, which will not see only a new name, but also a stronger focus, and purpose.”

The Learning Center takes science and technology out of the classroom and into the realm of the imagination. This hands-on approach engages students in activities that are fun, challenging and enlightening. The Learning Center itself is an “open book” to hands-on learning for the vast world of science and technology.

The result is a learning experience like no other, as The Learning Center will have an extensive offering of science educational experiences for visitors in the form of science day and residential camps for children, college students and families.

“Education is truly the core of PARI’s mission and we are extremely excited to take this opportunity to offer the most meaningful and educational experiences possible for visitors of all ages,” said PARI Marketing Director, Chris Price.

Camp programs will include multiple science, technology and astronomy-themed workshops for various age groups and families. Advanced field study camps will offer opportunities for higher education groups looking to continue their education out of the classroom and in the field as they work with PARI’s historic, research grade instruments as part of their curriculum.

In preparation for this new direction, the 200-acre campus has been going through a transition all its own with the addition of a new, onsite restaurant, Smiley’s, and the construction of two 3,000 square foot cabins that will function as both rooms for campers and lodging for visitors when residential camps are not in session. Visitors will also have opportunities to sleep under the stars with tent camping on campus as The Learning Center has prepped multiple primitive sites around its massive 12-meter radio telescope. This versatility allows The Learning Center to offer a wide array of experiences for each guest or group.

Starting May 21st, The Learning Center will implement new hours of operation to the general public. Guests may visit the historic NASA campus for dedicated tours on Saturdays from 9:30 am until late for potential night sky observing and Sundays from 9:30 am – 6:00 pm. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am – 2 pm, with dinner available on Saturdays from 5:30 pm – 8 pm. General admission is $10 per person ($30 max per family), $8 for seniors and students (elementary through college), and free admission for active military, first responders, and children 5 and under. Pre-arranged special tours and events for groups can be scheduled by calling visitor services at (828) 862-5554. Special rates apply.

About PARI:
The Learning Center at PARI is a public not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established in 1998. Located in the Pisgah National Forest 30 miles southwest of Asheville, NC, the 200-acre campus is the former site of an historic NASA satellite tracking station. Today, The Learning Center at PARI is a premiere science camp destination for all ages to visit and become immersed in the world of science and technology. The campus houses radio and optical telescopes, earth science instruments, the Astronomical Photographic Data Archive, onsite lodging and restaurant. Exhibit galleries display NASA Space Shuttle artifacts and collections of rare meteorites and minerals. The Learning Center at PARI provides STEM educational programs at all levels, from K-12 through post-graduate research. For more information about PARI and its programs, visit www.pari.edu.

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CONTACT:

Chris Price
828.862.5586
cprice@pari.edu

John Holloway
828.966.4097
jholloway@pari.edu